Offset and Beyond — Great Technologies, But Tough Times

Another opportunity for offset growth is in the “emerging and merging” technologies, adds McLauchlan, such as combining flexo with digital printing. Also, he notes that there is increasing use of roll-to-sheet feeders. “Presses that were en vogue 30 years ago, but disappeared, are now back again.”

In his own version of “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” Prince believes recessions make printers stronger, as an industry of manufacturers. For example, he recalls the 1950s, when “there was ‘too much iron,’ too many printers.”